An old Yiddish Proverb, “Better an ounce of luck than a pound of gold,” was never more appropriate than with the birth of Gavin Moncayo at 10:59 a.m. on Jan. 1. Born premature at 33 weeks and weighing 3 pounds 9 ounces, Gavin came into the world with all the luck that is said to accompany a New Years’ baby. He got the gift of life as well as the title of the Bayonne Community News’ First Baby of the Year.

Gavin’s parents, Gary and Patricia Moncayo, were married last March.

“We were highschool sweethearts,” Patricia said, who moved to Bayonne three years ago, joining her future husband, who lived here prior to that. “It took us 15 years to find each other again.”

Both grew up in New York.

Gary works as an electrician in New York, and Patricia works at an executive program assistant for UNICEF in New York City.

After he was born, Gavin was kept in New York Downtown Hospital in order to gain weight. He measured 16 ½ inches long at birth and was delivered by physician Dr. Frideo.

Gavin spent the first few weeks in the hospital growing stronger every day.

Gavin will be welcomed home by his 8-year-old sister Amber. The maternal grandparents are Manuel and Patricia Pimentel of Queens, N.Y., and the paternal grandparents of Elias and Jannette Salem Moncayo of Bayonne.

As a result of being the first baby born to Bayonne residents in 2013, Gavin becomes the winner of the Bayonne Community News’ First Baby Contest.

New Year’s babies have become an important icon in today’s culture, serving as a symbol of hope and prosperity. Gavin joins some significant Americans with the distinction of being born on Jan. 1, which includes former New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, author J.D. Salinger, legendary boxer Rocky Graziano, and American Revolution heroes Paul Revere, and Betsy Ross.

___________“He was born early.” – Patricia Moncayo__________

What they won

To qualify for being named the first baby, the parents must have resided in Bayonne for more than a year, but the baby can be born outside the city.

The couple will receive a variety of prizes pledged by local merchants. These include: